Over the years, when I’ve been in a meal planning rut, I’ve found trying out a meal kit delivery service helps snap me out of it. But while there are more than a few of these companies out there, their weekly menu options are often limited for vegetarians and vegans looking to avoid animal products. Whether you’re currently vegan, vegan-curious, or just want to be more conscious about your meat consumption, a plant-based meal kit subscription like Purple Carrot is a good place to start. I have tested more than a few meal delivery services, ranging from prepared meals to the cook-it-yourself options like Blue Apron, Green Chef, and Hello Fresh, so I came to my Purple Carrot experience knowing what makes a good meal kit and what doesn’t. How do Purple Carrot’s vegan meal kits stack up? And if you’re not already vegan or plant-leaning, could Purple Carrot meals be the catalyst that finally converts you? Read on for a full Purple Carrot review.
What to expect from a Purple Carrot box
Purple Carrot meal kits ship in an insulated cardboard box with two ice packs at the bottom. I didn’t have any issue with items staying cold and fresh during shipping (and because there’s no meat, fish, or dairy it’s less of an issue generally). Nothing inside the box arrived smooshed or crushed either. Each meal is mostly contained inside its own plastic bag (with the exception of some ingredients like garlic bulbs and large pouches of mixed greens), and each had its recipe booklet with a photo of the meal tucked conveniently into a pocket on the side. I dedicated half of a shelf in my fridge to line up these clear plastic packets for easy eyeball-appealing access.
How are Purple Carrot’s ingredients?
Purple Carrot kits come with a combination of fresh produce and prepared or prepackaged ingredients, depending on the recipe. Generally, the packaged items (like